James Vernon Berlin
Dec. 18, 1951 – Oct. 17, 2014
Resident of Salinas
James Vernon Berlin, 62, passed away on October 17, 2014, with his devoted wife Patty by his side.
A native of Santa Cruz, Jim attended Harbor High School before earning his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Jim would use his skill and knowledge in Industrial Technology while working as a plant engineer for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Weyerhaeuser, and International Paper, all in Salinas.
Jim had an enthusiasm for life, enjoying time with family and friends. He was very proud of his scouting background and was a recipient of Eagle Scout. While growing up in Santa Cruz, Jim helped his dad, Charles Vernon Berlin, establish the KSCO Radio Station, taking great pride in developing his passion for building and engineering.
Jim made a mark in his community by sharing his scouting skills with the youth of Salinas. He volunteered at local schools, teaching the youth of our community many skills, including the construction of a greenhouse, a weather station and an amphitheater at Steinbeck Elementary School. He enjoyed being a judge for Senior Projects at Everett Alvarez High School.
Jim loved spending his vacations in Hawaii and cruising the world, exploring new places and cultures, and making new memories with his wife and daughter.
He was also an avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Patty Berlin and his daughter, Kristy Berlin. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Berlin Jeffries of Idaho, and her husband Howard Jeffries; niece, Colleen Jeffries, and nephew, Clint Jeffries; cousins, Shirley Hasty of Santa Cruz, and Barbara Berlin of Los Gatos, CA and numerous wonderful friends. His most special friends were Toki and Eddie Hurt. Jim was preceded in death by Charles Vernon Berlin, his father and Julia Berlin his mother.
Jim had a lust for life and always tried to make each whose path he crossed a bit lighter by his sense of humor and wit. He was always a legal beagle and always believed that people should be treated with fairness and respect. Jim has made his community a better place and his legacy will be carried on by the lives he touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road in Santa Cruz on November 8, 2014 at 11:00am
The family asks that you please wear purple, as that was Jim's favorite color or Aloha wear, since Jim loved the islands so very much.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Boy Scouts of America, Cal Poly State University of San Luis Obispo or Harbor High School, Santa Cruz, CA.
If you would like to offer condolences to Jim's family, share your memories and light a candle in his honor, please visit www.scmemorial.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Nov. 4, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for James Berlin

Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.

14 Entries

Eddie Hurt

October 29, 2020

Six years have passed since Jim’s passing on October 17. I will always remember him for his wonderful character and our deep friendship. Despite the passing of time, cherished memories of him remain vivid in my heart.

Dottie McCallister

November 28, 2014

So sorry to hear about Jim. We didn't get to be close cousins, but we know he was a wonderful guy.

Cliff Olson

November 14, 2014

My deepest sympathies to Patty and Kristy.
I worked for Jim at Weyerhaeuser for a few years. He gave me opportunities to learn and encouragement to grow. He inspired me to be an engineer and even when I left to work on a greenfield startup facility he was very encouraging.
He touched so many people and I am grateful to be counted as one of them.
He will live with us all forever.

Bob & Linda Ayars

November 11, 2014

Patty & Kristy,
Linda & I, together with Bette & her family extend our condolences. We think often of Kristy's & Bette's growing up years when we all attended the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. We all will keep you in our prayers during this sad time of your lives.

Sally (Streit) Mincheff

November 8, 2014

Dear Patty,
It has been some time since Heather Circle and Swaner Drive...Nice memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.

November 8, 2014

He was a true friend to my husband over the years and we enjoyed out time with Patty and Jim. He will be in our prayers as wells Patty Kristy.

Rick and Erica Shields

Jorge and Sharon Rifa

November 7, 2014

Jim, Patty, and Kristy were our neighbors for many years until we moved to southern California. We always admired and respected Jim. He never drew attention to himself. He did not seem to care much about being the center of attention. Nonetheless, to all of us who knew him, he was a most amazing person. His sense of commitment to his family, his willingness to help others, and his incredible work ethic were something to behold. He was intelligent and an incredibly gifted person. He was patient, kind, and extended a genuine friendship to all. He loved projects and loved helping others. We will always remember Jim for his sense of family. If he was not working, fixing giant machines, or working on a project, he was hanging out with Patty and Kristy, in Hawaii or some other exotic location. He was a wonderful partner and husband to Patty and a super dad to Kristy. Jim kept his wild and crazy side hidden from view--except when he got himself that beautiful Corvette. That's when we realized he was a free spirit in engineer's clothing!

Jim will be missed by all. Patty and Kristy please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.

Donna Maurillo

November 5, 2014

I didn't know Jim, but I did know his father and especially his mother, Julia. She played the piano so beautifully before each of our Santa Cruz Rotary meetings, and that's how I remember her best... sitting at the piano with her beautifully coiffed hair. With parents like Vernon and Julia, I know that Jim must have been a wonderful man, as well. I'm very sorry that your family has lost him.

Lynda Schnereger McIlwaine

November 4, 2014

Jim was a wonderful person and we all cherished his friendship! He was so special to everyone he came in contact with....we all have so many fun memories of going to school with Jim! Sending many thoughts, much love and prayers to his family!

Four Friends Forever

Eddie Hurt

November 4, 2014

Jim was the one close friend I've had since high school. We shared many life experiences together: being roommates in college, attending each others weddings, celebrating the births of our respective children and enjoying so many other events in each others company. His wife Patty is also our dearest friend, of course. Over the last several years, as our children moved on with their own lives, the four of us spent increasing time with each other, even vacationing together.

I will miss my friend James Vernon Berlin dearly, but memories of his genuinely good company, his quirky humor, and his many selfless kindnesses to my wife and I will always reside in our hearts to assuage the pain of loss. It was my good fortune and great honor to have been his friend.

Fred Heitz

November 4, 2014

Jim . . . it looks like you continued in life as you did in school . . . you helped everyone around you be better people . . .sincere condolences to your family . . .RIP

Ann Azevedo Bolich

November 4, 2014

Jim was one of my favorite "classmates" all through my school years......Jim always had his great smile to give to everyone.....thoughts and prayers to his family at this sad time.....Jim was one of a kind!!

Bob Herbert

November 4, 2014

I haven't seen Jim since high school but I personally will always remember him as the voice of reason going back to Jr. High. RIP Jim

Fred Heitz

November 4, 2014

Jim . . . it appears that you continued in life what you did back in high school. You made everyone around you better people. My condolences to your family . . .R.I.P. fellow Pirate

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